Posts tagged ‘Wag Nation’
Get Your Stroll On
The sun’s scheduled to be stunning, the shops are ready to shine and Newport is open for business. Tomorrow’s Spring Stroll, taking place along Bellevue Avenue and William Street, welcomes the season with grand openings, in-store promotions, refreshments and nibbles from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lisa Sarro Fitzpatrick, co-owner of Wish, the much-loved upscale consignment boutique, says the brand new William Street location is stunning and stocked with designer duds and fabulous shoes. Marcela Calvet’s eponymous luxe handbag boutique will officially open its doors at 59 Bellevue (here’s the story I broke on her arrival), and while you’re down in that end of the neighborhood, be sure to stop in the gourmet trio of La Maison de Coco, Le Petit Gourmet and the Newport Wine Cellar.
On the opposite end of Bellevue, but sure to pop by Sequin and the newly opened Sara Campbell (I got the scoop first on her foray into Newport-here’s the skinny), Twig, and across Memorial Boulevard, the shop
s on the Casino Block are ready to rock. Papers and Lulubelle’s will be welcoming strollers, as will J. McLaughlin, which is hosting a Sip & Shop event to benefit the American Cancer Society (15% of your purchase will be donated to the ACS). Denim doyenne Laura Jean will be serving refreshments and offering free chair massages by massage therapist Julie Basil Pierce, and The Linen Shop has a great sale and fresh linens for spring.
Head down William Street where you’ll find the aforementioned Wish, plus It’s My Party Bake Shoppe and the fabulous Rib & Rhein. At Wag Nation, your fashionable four-legged friends will be doted over and as I suspect, showered with treats. Look for the balloons for shops participating in the stroll.
Let’s Talk Last Minute Gift Ideas on The Rhode Show
Is Christmas really just four shopping days away? Unbelievably, it is. This morning I popped by The Rhode Show to share some uniquely Newport gift ideas!
For the hostess: Holiday cupcakes from It’s My Party featuring Hot Chocolate, Gingerbread, Candy Cane, and “Snowball” cupcakes
For him: Tommy Bahama rosewood barbecue utensils from Island Pursuit
For her: “Love” ring and rings with her initials spelled out in nautical signal flags from Style Newport
For the pooch: wool toggle coat and Santa hat from Wag Nation, and “Critter Glitter” jewelry from Sequin that benefits the Potter League for Animals…select pieces available at Potter League’s “Bloomingtails” boutique
For the outdoor adventurist: a stay at the Rose Island Lighthouse 
For the foodies: A gourmet gift basket from Le Petit Gourmet with dessert and fine wine
For a couple or family: A gift that keeps on giving, membership to the Preservation Society of Newport County (the Newport Mansions)
For the kids: Make Your Own Chocolate Kit, Make Your Own Chewing Gum Kit, Make Your Own Gummies Kit from Only in Rhode Island
Well, Haute Dog!
Haute hounds and their owners are welcome to join Newport’s four-legged social set for the 2nd Annual Howl-o-ween Stroll for the Dogs tomorrow (October 30th). The stroll starts at Wag Nation on William Street at noon 
and continues along tony Bellevue Avenue, stopping for trick or treating at retailers aloing the way. Prizes will be awarded for best costume, most creative costume and best canine/human coordinated costumes (but dogs and owners in everyday dress are welcomed as well).
All well behaved, leashed dogs are welcome. Following the stroll, there will be bobbing for tennis balls and treats for canines and companions on the patio at Wag Nation.
Wag Nation is located at 92 William Street in Newport.
Click MORE below to see more super cute pups in costume!
Canines & Couture: A Howling Good Time
Fashionistas and fabulous Fidos will come together this Wednesday, September 15 to strut down the runway is some of fall’s hottest looks. Against the backdrop of Doris Duke’s majestic Rough Point estate overlooking the sea, dogs will be outfitted in glamorous looks from Wag Nation and their owners will don ensembles from local designers and boutiques including Angela Moore, J.McLaughlin, Michael Hayes, and Rib & Rhein, all in the name of fun, fashion and philanthropy. The setting in more than apropos as the late billionairess was an animal lover, often traveling from home to home with her entourage of four-legged friends. “Ruff Point,” as it could be called this Wednesday, was said to be home to more than a dozen dogs during Duke’s days at the home.
The Fashion Show of Canine Couture at Rough Point, presented by Wag Nation, benefits the Newport Restoration Foundation, which owns and operates the home in addition to other Duke properties, and the Potter League for Animals in Middletown. “Pawsitively” precious celebrity guest Schmitty the Weather Dog, accompanied by her pal ABC News 
weatherman Ron Trotta, will be the star celebupup on hand- alert the puparazzi!
Admission is $7, children under 5 are free, and well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome. Treats and refreshments for pooches and their human companions will be served and visitors can take in the 2010 exhibit, Doris Duke’s Extraordinary Vision (humans only in the house).
For more information, email Liz@NewportRestoration.org, call 401-846-4152, or CLICK HERE.
Photos by Meghan Sepe
MOTHER’S DAY EDITION: Showing Mom the Love
Because its called the hardest job on earth, moms deserve to be pampered all year long, but most especially this weekend. Start today by stopping by The Apothecary on Broadway for a complimentary half-hour facial with Murad skin care products with the purchase of any Murad product. Get your beauty back with a complimentary bareMinerals make-up application. If you’re shopping for mom, receive a free, full size Rare Minerals Triple Treatment Eye Cream (value $28) with any retail purchase of $100 (valid through May 9th).
On Saturday, Stalise in Portsmouth’s Clock Tower Square salutes mom from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with 20% off all spring merchandise – dresses, tops, bottoms, and more. I did a little pre-sale recognizance and have my eyes on a sweet Chetta B dress with a beaded collar and pockets- love it!
Starting at 4 p.m. on Saturday, gallery owner and jewelry designer Jessica Hagen-Hill will be hosting a trunk show featuring vintage-inspired jewelry made especially for the Newport Historical Society. There’s no fee to attend and the show runs until 7 p.m. at the Museum of Newport History at Brick Market at the foot of Washington Square. Visit Jessica’s gallery and studio by appointment to see more of her work and exhibits by local and regional artists that range in style from abstractionism to realism including painting, sculpture, glass and jewelry.
All moms visiting Fluke Wine, Bar & Kitchen on Bowen’s Wharf this Mother’s Day will receive a complimentary Grape Crush Cocktail (made from sweet green grapes) or glass of Roederer Estate Rose Sparkling Wine. Sunday also mark’s the introduction of new dishes on the springtime menu; restaurant opens at 5 p.m.
Finally, all mommies of four-legged friends should check out BMW, Beer & (dog) Biscuits on the patio at Wag Nation on Newport’ s William Street from 3pm to 5pm. BMW of Newport will be there to showcase some fine rides and to 
demonstrate Kurgo safety products for Fido on the go (they are, of course, your fuzzy precious cargo…) Savor artisan beer from the Newport Wine Cellar while your dog enjoys some yummy biscuits. Special promotions at Wag Nation: 15% off all Kurgo, a raffle, 20% off apparel and a special grab bag (promo good all weekend).
Deals & Steals: Come Snow or High Water Edition
Looks like everyone survived the “snowpocalypse” that arrived yesterday! With round-the-clock plowing and some old-fashioned elbow grease, a majority of the retail areas around Bristol and Newport counties will be opening at regular times.
Snow or no snow, Kristina Richards Studio in Newport’s Washington Square kicks off a big sale today featuring JBrand and other denim for $50, cashmere for $75, Vix Swimwear for $50 (hello, Florida-bound), Free People for $25 and other stylish finds marked down to a mere $20, $30 and $40. This means you’ll be finding some of the hottest lines at up to 75% off! Sale starts today and lasts through Monday.
The Linen Shop is hosting their White Sale, where crisp white linens including sheet sets, pillows and shams, bath sets and towels are marked down significantly.
Also, the 22nd Annual Newport Winter Festival begins on Friday and lasts for 10 fun-filled days. (First timers should check out my article t
hat explains it all in the Jan. 17 edition of the Hartford Courant- click here to check it out.) Many area retailers are offering a Newport Winter Festival discount, usually from 15% to 20%, with a festival button including Cosmetic Cosmos, Bailey T’s, Beach Party, The Black Dog, Brahmin, Frazzleberries, Jason & Co., Karma, Laura Jean, Pan Handler’s, Wag Nation and more. (Click here for a full listing of button discounts.)
Event highlights this weekend include Friday evening’s Beatlemania concert, Saturday’s 15th Annual Chili Cook-Off, a city-wide Scavenger Hunt (believe it or not, very competitive and a great way to get to know the city), and by nightfall, the comedy show at the Hotel Viking featuring Comedy Central darlings Tony V. and Jimmy Dunn. For the first time ever, Newport International Polo will be hosting a match on Middletown’s Second Beach (Sat. and Sun., free). What to wear to an oceanside polo match? Dress for function more than fashion. You would think it goes without saying, but no heels (spotted a handful of ladies with heels or heeled boots at the Polar Bear Plunge– it wasn’t 
working). And at some point during the festival, check out the WINEterfest Wine Tasting & Outside Ice Wine Bar at Newport Vineyards, where you’ll find taste various vineyard vintages as well as cheeses, chocolates and spreadable edibles offered from local gourmet purveyors. For those who don’t have the luxury of jetting off to warmer temps right now, you can get a taste of island living at Sunday night’s Tropical Drink Contest at the Gas Lamp Grille.
Parents should make it a point to bring their little ones to Saturday’s Toe Jam Puppet Band concert and/or Sunday and Monday’s Children’s Fair at the Newport Marriott. The Stylephile will be highlighting events throughout the festival, but you should head to the Newport & Bristol Counties Convention & Visitor’s Bureau (33 America’s Cup Avenue, Newport) for a brochure with all the events or check out the day-by-day calendar at www.NewportWinterFestival.com.
This weekend also kicks off the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver and the American 
athletes will be sporting some fashionable duds for the opening ceremony by Ralph Lauren (the shawl cardigan and opening ceremonies knit hat are must-haves). Tune in to NBC-10 for all the snowboarding, skiing, ice skating and winter games you can handle (set your DVRs now so you don’t miss a beat while at the Newport Winter Festival).
Shop Shot: Wag Nation
What: A boutique for cats and dogs featuring four-legged fashions, collars and leashes, posh beds, toys and the best foods for Fido
Where: 92 William Street, Newport
With an assortment of delicious gourmet dog treats, foods, collars, leashes, cat and dog toys, canine couture, fur
nishings and gifts, Wag Nation is a bright and cheerful shop that allows owner to spoils their most loyal companions. Preppy pups are drawn to the Smathers & Branson needlepoint collars while tougher doggies are better suited to leather collars bearing skulls and crossbones. You can also find adorable life jackets to outfit the nautical pooch! Thursday, September 10th from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m,doggy fashion show at Doris Duke’s Rough Point estate showcasing haute fashions for dogs and their owners. Visitors can learn about pet adoption and more from the Potter League for Animals and will have an opportunity to tour an exhibit of Doris Duke’s couture collection Shop Like an Heiress: Buying Fashion in the 20th Century on display inside the mansion. Treats will be provided for both dogs and humans. Guests are welcome to bring well behaved dogs to the event but all canine visitors must be on a leash. Admission is $5 for adults; children (12 and under) and dogs are free. For more details about the event, visit http://www.newportrestoration.org/calendar. Tickets are sold at the door, but RSVPs are requested at liz@newportrestoration.org or 401-846-4152. (Rain date is Thursday, September 17.)
